[Erin]

I think if you search around you'll find lots of conversations along these lines.

My $.02 is to start slowly. I have had D for more than 16 years, and I spent a few of those years drinking and "partying" a lot. BUT I had 10 years to figure diabetes out before adding drink to the mix.

Figure out what insulin and food does to your blood sugar. then go out and have one drink... test frequently... see what it does. If everything is ok, the next time you go out have two drinks. Then the next time three. The next time four.

My philosophy of diabetes has always been to fit the things that I like INTO my diabetes control, not change what I do. I figure as long as I figure out what I need to do to drink my 6 pints of guinness safely, there is no reason I have to switch to amstel light, (which is probably easier on the blood sugar, as it has less carbs).

Here are a few problems to look out for:
Mixers (soda, juice etc) as well as beer and wine have lots of carbs, which will cause an initial rise in blood sugar.

Alcohol prohibits production of glucose by the liver, which will cause a drastic DROP in blood sugar, a number of hours after you drink, so BEWARE OF THE 2 AM HYPO!!!!

Be very cautious when taking insulin to fix a high blood sugar after a night out... the insulin combined with the drop in blood sugar caused by the drinking can make for some really nasty lows.

TEST, TEST, TEST! you're not going to feel lows and highs the same way you usually do (they may be changed or masked by the feeling of being drunk), and your blood sugar is going to do funny things. You can't take care of yourself if you're not sure what is going on.

Make sure you're out with a few good friends who know you have diabetes, and who you trust to at least call for help if you get into a tricky situation, especially when you are just learning about how alcohol effects your diabetes.